Decatur IL Testing

The Civil Service Commission of the City of Decatur will conduct an examination and establish an eligible register for the following classification:
FIRE FIGHTER

Annual Base Salary: $47,105 - $60,113

Application Form

Applications are available on this website or at the Human Resources Division, Department of Management Services, Second Floor, Decatur Civic Center, #1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois 62523, and must be returned or postmarked by Friday, July 24, 2009.

Selection of candidates will be made according to the Civil Service laws for cities, as modified by the City Code of the City of Decatur, Illinois.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

As an equal opportunity employer, the City of Decatur encourages all potential applicants, regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, to apply for positions with the City of Decatur Fire Department. Minorities are encouraged to apply.

QUALIFICATIONS

To be eligible to take part in the examination process for fire fighter, applicants must possess the following qualifications:

1. Applicants at the time of examination, must not be less than 21 years of age or over 34 years of age; provided, however, that in cases where an applicant has had special training or experience in fire related work, the Commission may, at its discretion, accept applicants 35 years of age or older with one year of increased age allowed for each year of training or experience. The maximum of such age allowance shall be 4 years.
2. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
3. Applicants must have no felony convictions.

At time of appointment, a Fire Fighter must have the ability to obtain a valid Class "B (non-CDL)" Illinois driver's license. Within the probationary period, the applicant shall be able to acquire Certification at the Fire Fighter II level as prescribed by the Personnel Standards Division of the State Fire Marshal's Office. Obtaining Illinois Department of Public Health licensure to the EMT intermediate level shall be required for all applicants with such licensing being maintained by departmental guidelines. Applicants should possess physical strength and agility sufficient to perform strenuous work under adverse weather conditions, be able to climb ladders and work at considerable heights and be able to think and act quickly in emergency situations.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT ASSESSMENT PROCESS

The pre-employment assessment process will consist of the following:

1. Review of Qualifications: Applications will be evaluated upon receipt by the Human Resources staff. Applicants not meeting the minimum qualifications as outlined on the previous page will not be allowed to continue in the examination process.
2. Mandatory Orientation: There will be a mandatory orientation on Friday evening, August 14, 2009, at the Decatur Civic Center, #1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois. The orientation will be held in the Civic Center theater which is located on the second floor. Orientation will begin at 6:00 p.m. for those individuals whose last name begins with the letters A-L. Orientation will begin at 7:30 p.m. for those individuals whose last name begins with the letters M-Z. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to each session. You will be required to present a photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, school ID, etc.) to be admitted into the theater. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE.
3. Written Test: Applicants who attend the orientation will be eligible to take the written test which is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2009, at Richland Community College, One College Park, Decatur, Illinois, in the Shilling Center, located on the west side of the building. The written test will begin at 9:00 a.m. for those individuals whose last name begins with the letters A-L. The written test will begin at 1:00 p.m. for those individuals whose last name begins with the letters M-Z. Doors will open 30 minutes prior to each session. You will be required to present a photo ID (e.g. driver’s license, school ID, etc.) to be admitted into the testing room. NO EXCEPTIONS WILL BE MADE. Candidates will have the option to purchase a study guide for the written exam for a $5.00 non-refundable fee payable by cash, money order or cashier’s check to the City of Decatur. Payment must accompany the application. No prior training or experience in the job of firefighter is assumed of candidates taking this test. The written exam consists of both a cognitive and an orientation component. The cognitive component consists of verbal comprehension, verbal expression, problem sensitivity, deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, information ordering, mathematical reasoning and numeric facility. The orientation component of the written exam includes questions measuring stress tolerance, team orientation and motivation/attitude. Applicants are required to have a composite score of at least 80.00% in order to pass the written examination.
4. Background Investigation: All applicants passing the written test will be subject to a background investigation, which may include fingerprinting, police records check, credit check and inquiries of neighbors, relatives, employers, etc. Applicants must have no felony convictions. A misdemeanor conviction record will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
5. Oral Interview: All applicants passing the written test will be eligible for an oral interview.
6. Veteran Points: Eligible veterans may receive 5 veteran preference points added to their final examination score.
7. Eligibility Register: All applicants who pass the oral interview will be placed on the eligibility register. This register is good for two years or until exhausted.
8. Physical Abilities Test: The top 50% or 50 candidates (whichever is greater) who pass the oral interview will take the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT). This test consists of eight critical physical tasks that simulate actual job duties on the fire ground. The test requires firefighter candidates to engage in the following activities:
* Stair Climb
* Hose Drag
* Equipment Carry
* Ladder Raise & Extension
* Forcible Entry
* Search
* Rescue
* Ceiling Breach & Pull
Candidate success is measured on a pass/fail basis. Failure to pass the CPAT will result in removal from the eligible register.
9. Selection from Eligibility Register: The Fire Chief will select individuals to serve as Fire Fighter from the eligible register.
10. Physical, Psychological and Polygraph Testing: Applicants placed on the eligible register must pass a physical examination by a physician of the Commission's choice following an offer of employment. Applicants will also be subject to a drug screening, psychological evaluation and a polygraph test. Final appointment is contingent upon the passing of all of these examinations, as well as the background investigation.

DUTIES

This is general duty fire fighting work in combating, extinguishing and preventing fires, providing first response emergency medical service, and operating and maintaining the protection of life and property by fire fighting, rescue and fire prevention activities. Assignments include hazardous tasks performed under emergency conditions, frequently requiring strenuous exertion. Duties include drill and study of fire prevention and fire combating work principles and practices, fire apparatus and mobile equipment operations and emergency medical care. Duties also include routine equipment and quarters maintenance at an assigned fire station. Fire combating work is performed in accordance with established rules and regulations.

DUTY SCHEDULE

Fire Fighters work 24 hours on-duty followed by 48 hours off-duty.

RESIDENCY

Employees must establish residency within 40 miles of the corporate limits of the City of Decatur within 90 days following the completion of their probationary period. This position requires a one-year probationary period.

BENEFITS
TOTAL ANNUAL SALARY: $47,105 Starting Rate $55,583 After 3 years
$48,287 After 6 months $58,362 After 4 years
$50,413 After 1 year $60,113 After 8 years
$52,936 After 2 years

* HEALTH INSURANCE: The City offers Preferred Provider Option (PPO) health insurance coverage administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois for employees and their dependents. The employee’s portion is paid by the City.
* VACATION: 5 duty days after one year of service; 7 duty days after 7 years of service; 10 duty days after 14 years of service; and 11 duty days after 20 years of service.
* SICK LEAVE: 24 hours per month granted, accumulative to 5,760 hours.
* PENSION: Excellent pension benefits; retirement at half-pay possible at age 50 with 20 years of service. The City contributes to the Fire Fighters’ Pension Fund. Fire Fighters also contribute at the rate of 9.455% of base pay, but do not contribute to Social Security. Employee contributions are refundable if employment ends before retirement.
* OTHER: Effective May 1, 2009, one paid holiday per year and an additional 72 hours pay annually; longevity pay after five years of service; and uniforms provided by the City. Deferred compensation and dental insurance are available.

GENERAL INFORMATION

* Shift Schedule: The Decatur Fire Department operates on a three battalion schedule. Each battalion works a 24-hour duty shift (from 6:40 a.m. to 6:40 a.m.) followed by 48 hours off-duty.
* Training Program: Candidates attend a 7-week training session.
* Probation and Evaluation: There is a one year probation period for this position. Civil Service evaluations are given at three months, six months, nine months, and twelve months.